Means for attaching moldings and the like to channel-shaped supports



Aug. 31, 1937. 2,091,859 MEANS FOR ATTACHING Mowmesmn THE LIKE TOCHANNEL SHAPED SUPPORTS G. JOHNSON Filed March 20, 1935 Inve n30Gmfifavdbhnaazw.

- u fig Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FORATTACHING MOLDINGS AND THE LIKE TO CHANNEL-SHAPED SUP- PORTS ApplicationMarch 20, 1935, Serial No. 12,113

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to means for attaching a molding or thelike to channel-shaped metal supports, and the invention aims generallyto improve and simplify the assembled structure and also to provide animproved fastening for that purpose. Y More particularly, the inventionrelates to improvements in metal structures trimmed with a molding orthe like, as for example, the frame of a motor vehicle surrounding thewindows, wherein it has been desirable to trim the frame with a flexiblemolding providing a channel for the window pane to seal the openingagainst entrance of wind and weather, although it is to be understoodthat the invention is not restricted to the specific use.

The invention is conventionally illustrated as applied to molding, suchas the glass rim channel for the window frame of a motor vehicle body.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of asupporting frame and window molding, secured in assembled relationaccording to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the relative positionof the parts, just prior to clamping the molding to the supportingframe; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clip.

Referring to the illustrated embodiment of the invention shown in thedrawing, the window frames of a motor vehicle body are preferably formedas a metal channel shaped member as at in, and may be formed as aseparate frame member or as an integral part of the body. It iscustomary to attach a molding ii to the channel it) preferably toprovide a channel for the glass window pane i2, and this molding may beof any desired construction suitable for its purpose.

Heretofore this molding has been attached to the channel support byfirst drilling holes in the channel and molding, where the latter isprovided with a metal binding as at i3, and then securing the molding inplace by screws, bolts or like fastenings.

According to the present invention, the necessity of drilling holes inthe support l0 and/or the binding i3 of the molding is eliminated andthe molding may be quickly and securely clipped to the support by meansof clips, for example, as shown in Fig. 4.

The clip according to the invention may be formed of a strip of metal,preferably having a substantial width, and advantageously is shaped toprovide a spaced head portion l5 and foot portion IS. The head portioni5 is provided at its extremity with an angularly bent clamping portioni'i formed with an inturned clamping edge i8 for gripping the molding.The head i5 and foot l6 are connected by an S-shaped portion IS, theconnection with the head l5 being such as to snugly flt the upper flangeof the channel III, as at 20, and the connection between the portion l9and the foot l6 being such as to engage the inner face of the verticalside of the channel as at M Fig. 2.

The clip may be initially formed as shown in Fig. 3 and when it isdesired to secure a molding, such as the glass rim channel ii to thechannel shaped frame, the clip is first applied so that the head portionl5 rests upon the upper flange of the channel and the S-shaped portionI9 lies within the channel. By means of a special tool, not shown,contacting pressure may be applied to the S-shaped portion i 9 and theclamping portion 11 to force the clamping edge l8 intoengagement withthe molding ii, and to bring the portion 2i into engagement with theinner vertical face of the channel iii. In this position, see Fig. 2,the head portion rests upon the upper flange of the channel and the footportion l6 engages the lower flange of the channel.

It will be apparent that any tendency of the molding ii to be displacedfrom the face of the channel l0 must be accompanied by a movement of theclamping portion I l outwardly, and this is prevented by the strengthand stiffness of the metal. Any tendency of the clip, as a whole, topivot about the inner edge of the upper flange of the channel, as at 20,is resisted by the engagement between the foot portion l6 and the lowerflange of the channel.

It will be apparent that the invention is not restricted solely tosecuring glass run channels to the supporting frame of motor vehiclebodies. On the contrary, the invention contemplates the novel means ofsecuring moldings and strip generally to flanged supports.

Having illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, I claimas new:

1. An article of manufacture in the form of a clip formed from sheetmetal many times wider than its thickness as distinguished from wire,said clip having a head portion IS, a substantially U-shaped portionconnected to one end of said head portion i5 and including a footportion l6 substantially parallel to said head portion i5 and spacedtherefrom and a clamping portion il extending from the other end of thesaid head portion l5, and said U-shaped portion and clamping portionbeing adapted to be moved one toward the other for clamping suitableparts between them.

2. An article of manufacture in the form 01! a clip formed from sheetmetal many times wider than its thickness as distinguished from wire,said clip having a head portion IS, a substantially U-shaped portionconnected to one end of said head portion I5 and including a. footportion l6 substantially parallel to said head portion l5 and spacedtherefrom and a clamping portion l'I extending from the other end of thesaid head portion I5 with a clamping edge i8 bent toward said U-shapedportion, and said U-shaped portion and clamping portion being adapted tobe moved one toward the other for clamping suitable parts between them.

3. The combination with a channel member having a U-shaped portion, of aflexible strip resting against the outer face of the bottom of saidU-shaped portion and a metal clip holding the flexible strip inposition, said clip having a head portion I5 engaging the outer surfaceof one leg of said U-shaped portion, a clamping portion I! extendingfrom one end of said head portion ii at substantially a right angle andoverlying a portion of said flexible strip and a substantially U-shapedportion connected to the other end of said head portion i5 and fittingwithin the U-shaped portion of said channel member, said U-shapedportion of the clip holding the clamping portion ll tightly against saidflexible strip and having a foot portion l6 engaging the inner surfaceof the other leg of the U of the channel to prevent the clip fromaccidentally tipping oiT the channel member.

GUSTAV JOHNSON.

